The current Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force will be become the Wildcat Maritime Force this year; the Lynx HMA8’s out of service date is scheduled for March 31,2017.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

A Wildcat HMA2 photographed flying above Chesil Beach in Dorset.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

Wildcat is effectively helping reshape maintenance schedules. Serious consideration is being given to whether the Wildcat fleet requires a traditional depth maintenance profile.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

A nose-mounted turret houses the L-3 Wescam MX-15Di, which produces high-resolution images for tactical surveillance, long-range target identification, laser target designation and range-finding capability.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

The aim is to establish 16 Wildcat HMA2 flights by May 2017; 815 Naval Air Squadron with 12 and 825 NAS with four.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

The first deployed flight of the Wildcat HMA2 on a nine-month Atlantic mission provided encouraging signs about the maturity of the aircraft and its stores support.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

Full operational capability is scheduled for 2018, but initial operating capability was declared in January 2015.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

Wildcat maintenance packages are blocked together at present into 25, 50,100, 200 and 300 hourly checks, unlike the Lynx, which has flexed maintenance.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009

Crew say flying the Wildcat is a huge step-change from the Lynx. Interfacing between the camera, radar and cockpit displays is completed with a single click.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Agusta Westland AW.159 Lynx Wildcat / Future Lynx - InternationalInternational - 2009